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THE  WITHIN  DESCRIBED  PROPERTY 

Is  offered  for  sale  in  Lots  of  about  50  by  200  feet. 

The  Streets,  Avenues,  Parks,  &c,  are  now  being  laid  out 
and  regulated,  as  designated  on  the  Map  annexed,  and  will 
be  completed  by  the  proprietor,  GEORGE  I.  MANKIN, 
at  his  own  expense,  "as  the  sale  of  Lots  progresses. 

The  Botanical  Garden  in  accordance  with  the  accom- 
panying plans  and  drawing  has  been  commenced. 

The  price  of  the  Lots  is  uniformly  $40©  eacli?  the 
purchaser  choosing  from  those  unsold ;  $50  of  the  pur- 
chase money  to  be  paid  on  signing  and  receiving  the  con- 
tract of  sale,  and  $25  to  be  paid  quarterly  until  $200  shall 
be  paid,  when  the  rest  may  remain  on  bond  and  mortgage 
for  three  years,  at  7  per  cent. 

The  purchase  money  may  be  paid  off  before  the  same 
shall  become  due,  if  the  purchaser  wish,  and  discount  will 
be  allowed  on  such  payments  at  the  rate  of  7  per  cent,  per 
annum. 

If  default  be  made  in  any  of  the  paydj^its  before  the 
mortgage  is  given,  any  sums  before  paid  shall  be  forfeited 
to  the  seller,  at  his  option. 

The  Lots  will  be  conveyed,  free  of  incumbrance,  by 
Warranty  Deed.  The  Deeds  shall  contain  restrictions 
against  nuisances,  and  against  building  any  house  upon 
the  premises  which  shall  cost  less  than  $1500. 

Although  the  Botanical  Garden,  as  laid  down  in  the 
Maps,  has  been  already  commenced,  the  proprietor  hereby 
binds  himself,  to  cancel  if  demanded  the  contract  of  any 
purchaser  and  refund  to  said  purchaser  all  the  money  he 
has  paid  on  said  contract,  together  with  7  per  cent,  inter- 
est, if  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  it  has  not  become 
apparent,  that  the  work  is  steadily  progressing  towards 
completion, 

GEORGE  I.  MANKIN. 

The  subscribers,  who  are  Agents  for  selling  the  proper- 
ty, will  meet  all  persons  desirous  of  visiting  it,  at  their 
office,  Broadway,  cor.  of  Leonard  St.,  at  2J  o'clock,  P.  M., 
on  "Wednesday  and  Saturday  of  each  week,  and  will  ac- 
company them  to  the  place. 

F.  J.  VISSCHER  &  CO., 
Appleton's  Building,  Room  No.  5, 

Broadway,  cor.  of  Leonard  st, 


JPesmjtfim 


Glenn  Park,  containing  363  acres,  bounded  on  the 
East  by  the  Harlem  Railroad  and  Bronx  River  in  part, 
running  westerly  to  the  high  riclge,  lying  parallel  to  the 
Railroad ;  and  extending  about  one  mile  along  the  ridge, 
overlooking  the  country  for  about  thirty  miles  in  every 
direction;  has  been  surveyed  and  laid  out  in  building  sites, 
and  is  now  offered  for  sale  in  lots  to  suit  purcha&ers. 

Although  this  property  is  nearly  five  hundred  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  ocean,  the  land  is  not  abrupt  and  broken, 
but  is  very  handsomely  rounded  in  knolls;  and  the  ascent 
from  the  direction  of  Williams  Bridge,  about  two  miles 
distant,  is  gradual,  and  by  a  picturesque  road.  The  ap- 
proach from  Yonkers — a  little  over  two  miles — is  also  very 
handsome,  though  hilly  after  leaving  the  turnpike.  ^  En- 
\  Bring  the  estate  by  Bronx  Avenue,  from  the  Harlem 
Railroad  at  West  Mount  Vernon,  or  from  the  iSIew  Haven 
Railroad  at  Mount  Vernon,  half-a-mile  distant,  the  ascent 
is  very  gradual. 

The  design  in  this  undertaking  is,  to  furnish  to  those 
seeking  it,  a  respectable,  retired,  and  healthy  country  resi- 
dence, avoiding  the  monotony  and  crowding  of  a  village, 
though  retaining  the  advantages  of  a  community.  In  order 
to  which  the  avenues  are  curvilinear,  taking  within  their 
bounds  handsome  forest  trees,  peculiar  rocks,  waterfalls,  &c. 
The  forest  trees  and  wood  have  been  left  untouched ;  parks, 
lakes,  and  cascades  to  be  formed  ;  the  springs  ornamented 
by  handsome  enclosures,  and  covered  by  neat  and  airy 
domes  ;  the  brooks  deepened,  and  the  banks  sodded  ;  prome- 
nades and  carriage  drives,  curving  with  the  natural  course 
of  the  water,  and  shaded  with  forest  trees  ;  and  the  whole 


ornameifted  by  trees  and  shrubbery  of  various  kinds,  planted 
more  in  groups  than  in  rows,  with  the  view  of  unity  and 
the  picturesque  appearance  of  the  whole. 

The  Park  contains  15  acres,  with  a  handsome  brook 
running  through  it ;  the  growth  of  timber,  mostly  white 
oak,  over  forty  years  old.  The  promenades  will  be  nearly 
five  miles  in  length,  shaded  by  forest  trees  now  standing. 
About  30  acres  will  be  retained  in  meadow,  to  add,  with 
the  groves  near  them,  to  the  beauty  and  variety  of  the 
landscape. 

Bronx  Avenue,  commencing  at  the  Railroad,  after 
crossing  the  Bronx  River,  traverses  a  handsome  meadow 
of  about  10  acres,  a  part  of  the  way  with  the  river  along- 
side of  the  Avenue.  The  Bronx  at  this  meadow,  is  shaded 
on  both  sides  with  very  large  and  handsome  forest  trees, 
amongst  which,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  it  is  de- 
signed to  form  one  of  the  promenades.  After  crossing  the 
meadow,  the  avenue  commences  the  ascent,  and  is  widened 
to  100  feet ;  by  this  it  is  not  meant  that  a  clear  road  of 
that  width  is  to  be  formed,  but  the  avenue  divides  into 
branches,  some  only  25  feet  wide,  and  unite  again  in 
order  to  preserve  the  natural  wildness  of  the  ravine. 
Rocks,  trees,  waterfalls,  and  wild  undergrowth,  with  the 
curving  roads,  render  this  approach  extremely.pictures- 
<]ue.  At  the  next  meadow  this  avenue  attains  an  elevation 
of  100  feet  above  the  river.  Crossing  the  second  meadow, 
it  again  rises  to  the  highest  land,  but  always  with  a  gradual 
i,  scent. 

The  meadow  avenue  presents  a  very  handsome  curve 
along  a  row  of  willows,  with  meadow  on  its  east  side,  and 
will  probably  hereafter  form  a  part  of  the  town  road  from 
Williams  Bridge  to  Hunt's  Bridge. 

Hart  avenue  joins  Bronx  avenue  between  two  splendid 
hickory  trees,  the  head  of  one  of  which,  when  in  foliage, 
is  80  feet  in  diameter. 

Penfield  avenue  has  a  fine  grove  on  its  East,  and  a 
meadow  on  its  West  side,  and  its  curves  take  in  some  very 
beautiful  trees — oaks  and  white  wood ;  some  of  the  latter 
80  feet  high.  The  land  between  Penfield  and  Meadow 
avenues,  and  Bronx  avenue  und  Hyatt's  road,  rises 
about  150  feet  above  the  river,  having  Hart  Avenue 
nearly  on  the  highest  part  of  the  ridge,  and  is  about  50  feet 


above  Penfield  avenue,  and  the  same  above  the  level  of 
Bronx  avenue  at  the  second  meadow. 

Gardner  avenue  surrounds  land  of  about  the  same 
altitude  as  that  between  Penfield  and  Meadow  avenues ; 
the  westerly  part  of  the  land  is  in  wood,  and  is  hand- 
somely sloped  by  several  knolls,  while  the  eastern  part, 
with  all  the  land  north  of  Gardner  avenue  presents  a 
nearly  level  piece  of  table  land,  having  fine  prospects  of 
Mount  Vernon  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  reaching 
at  the  northern  extremity  a  lake  and  narrow  ravine  about 
50  feet  below  the  surface,  embosomed  in  wood  and  rock 
of  the  wildest  description.  This  table  land,  on  the  North- 
east, is  terminated  by  a  series  af  natural  rocky  terraces, 
now  set  out  with  grape  vines. 

Palisade  avenue,  branching  from  Bronx  avenue,  runs 
through  a  vale,  and  making  a  curve  to  the  West,  reaches 
the  table  land  just  described. 

'  Park  avenue  is  nearly  level,  and  has  meadow  on  its 
east  side  the  entire  length,  except  where  it  passes  through 
the  Park.  On  its  west  side  it  has  handsome  trees  in  groups 
and  groves.  From  this  avenue,  and  also  from  Gardner 
avenue,  and  from  the  junction  of  Gardner,  Bronx,  and 
Penfield  avenues,  handsome  vistas  open,  taking  in  lovely 
landscapes. 

The  Tuckahoe  road  is  the  town  road ;  in  some  places 
low,  in 'others  on  elevated  ground  and  much  of  it  runs 
through  thick  growths  of  cedars,  trees  and  bushes,  curving 
gracefully  among  them,  and  hid  in  many  places  from  the 
surrounding  lots. 

The  carriage  drive  and  promenade  run  along  the  sides 
of  a  brook,  surrounded  by  forest  trees.  From  the  brook, 
on  both  sides,  the  land  rises  pretty  rapidly  but  evenly,  so 
that  all  the  avenues  south  of  the  brook,  and  most  of  those 
north  of  the  brook,  present  prospects  unsurpassed  for  ex- 
tent and  beauty.  The  view  to  the  North  reaches  to  the 
Highlands ;  to  the  West,  the  Palisades,  their  entire  length, 
with  the  farm  houses  on  their  summits ;  to  the  South,  a  vast 
extent  of  woodland,  cultivated  fields,  farm  houses,  man- 
sions and  villages,  High  Bridge,  the  Lunatic  Asylum 
at  Bloomingdale,  and  beyond  all,  New  York  'City,  Brook- 
lyn, Williamsburgh,  Long  and  Staten  Islands,  the  Observa- 
tory at  Cypress  Hills  Cemetery,  and  the  country  residences 


6 

on  Staten  Island;  to  the  South-east  and  East,  Long  Island, 
mth  its  houses  and  villages,  inlets  and  light-houses,  and 
occasionally  the  smoke  of  the  locomotive  on  the  Long  Is- 
land Railroad,  also  Long  Island  Sound,  dotted  with  stea- 
mers and  sailing  craft,  Fort  .Schuyler,  Pelham  Bridge, 
Hunter's  and  other  Islands  ;  and  nearer  by,  Mount  Vernon 
in  full  view,  and  a  rich  landscape  presenting  every  variety 
of  scenery,  and  enlivened  by  the  hourly  passing  of  the 
Harlem  and  the  New  Haven  railroad  cars.  To  the  North- 
east the  prospect  reaches  to  Connecticut,  and  the  Sound 
stretches  far  away  beyond  Huntington.  Point  and  its  light- 
house, making  the  whole  length  of  view  on  the  Sound,  from 
the  city,  probably  60  miles.  The  prospect  will  fully  bear 
out  any  description  that  can  be  given  of  it. 

Nimhani  avenue  is  perfectly  straight,  70  feet  wide,  and 
over  a  mile  in  length.  It  is  named  after  an  Indian  chief 
who  was  slain  on  the  ground,  and  probably  within  the  line 
of  the  avenue,  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  fighting  on 
the  side  of  the  Americans.  Battle  Avenue  and  Indian 
Road  are  so  named  to  commemorate  the  same  engagement, 
as  they  run  directly  across  the  battle-field. 

It  is  designed  to  plant  elms  the  whole  length  of  Nimham 
Avenue,  in  groups.  Indeed  all  the  avenues,  lakes,  prome- 
nades, drives,  cascades,  &c,  &c,  will  be  shaded  by  trees 
of  various  kinds,  evergreens  and  deciduous. 

In  addition  to  the  three  Railroads — the  Harlem,  New 
Haven  and  Hudson  River — now  giving  hourly  access  ;  a 
new  Railroad  is  proposed  running  either  directly  to  or  very 
near  Glenn  Park,  and  designed  to  intercept  at  the  Harlem 
River  all  the  City  Railroads. 

Further  particulars  given  by  F.  J.  VISSCHER  &  CO., 
Appteton's  Building,  Broadway,  cor.  of  Leonard  St., 
where  large  Maps  can  be  seen. 


REMARKS 

ON  THE  DRAWING  OF  THE  BOTANICAL  GARDEN 

AT 

GLENN  PARK. 

BY  W.  BENQUE. 


The  foregoing  drawing,  representing  the  idea  of  a  Botanical  Garden 
to  be  established  at  Glenn  Park,  requires  in  order  to  be  correctly  under- 
stood, a  few  explanatory  remarks. 

It  is  not  possible  for  the  art  of  drawing,  to  represent  a  Garden  in 
which  every  object  both  of  nature  and  art  shall  appear  in  its  proper 
proportions.  If  for  instance  the  trees  and  shrubbery  should  be  exhibited 
in  their  real  extent,  the  walks  and  buildings,  and  other  smaller  objects 
would  be  mostly  rendered  invisible,  since  from  which  ever  side  viewed, 
they  would  be  concealed  by  the  verdure  of  lofty  trees  and  shrubbery, 
and  thus  the  eye  would  receive  anything  but  the  true  representation 
intended. 

Even  the  so-called  bird-perspective,  in  which  the  objects  appear  as 
when  seen  from  a  considerable  height,  would  meet  with  the  same  diffi- 
culties. For  that  reason  recourse  has  been  had  in  Garden-plans  to  the 
so-called  situation-drawing,  in  which  method  the  buildings  are  only 
designated  by  their  ground  plan,  and  the  trees,  to  distinguish  them  from 
the  shrubbery,  by  short  stems,  but  so  diminutive,  that  it  still  gives  rise 
to  the  question,  what  the  garden  really  contains. 

In  this  point  of  view  let  the  foregoing  sketch  be  regarded.  To  make 
the  principal  objects  of  this  Botanical  Garden  more  intelligible  however, 
the  artist  has  represented  his  idea  of  the  buildings  to  be  erected,  by  little 
separate  views  on  the  margin  of  the  plan.  The  letters  corresponding  on 
the  plan  and  views,  show  at  what  spot  the  respective  objects  are  to  be 
sought,  and  vice  versa  how  the  buildings  when  erected  will  appear.  The 
borders  of  the  plan  on  the  North  and  West,  show  the  streets  which  are 
designated  by  name  thereon.  As  far  as  room  permitted,  the  situation 
and  numbers  of  the  adjoining  building  lots  offered  for  sale,  have  been 
designated. 


8 

With  these  preliminary  remarks,  we  come  to  the  Botanic  Garden  it- 
self, and  inquire  first  as  to  its  objects.     It  is  intended : — 

I  st}  To  furnish  the  scientific  study  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  with 
more  extensive  material  than  the  local  Flora  offers. 

2nd,  To  present  to  the  popular  eye  the  immense  richness  of  the  vege- 
tation of  our  Earth,  of  the  different  countries  and  zones,  and  thus 
excite  to  the  study  of  Botany,  of  which  particularly  the  Ladies 
are  generally  fond. 

3rd,  To  contribute  to  the  pleasures  arising  from  the  view  of  natural 
objects  in  general,  to  form  a  taste  for  the  beautiful  in  nature,  to 
lead  to  a  more  extensive  cultivation  of  plants,  and  also  to  furnish 
specimens  and  instruction. 

It  affords  the  physician,  the  druggist  and  apothecary  an  opportunity 
of  becoming  more  closely  acquainted,  by  growing  specimens,  with  the 
plants  which  pass  daily  through  their  hands  in  fragments  and  preparations. 
A  perfect  accomplishment  in  their  profession  makes  the  study  of  botany 
a  necessity  for  these  men,  and  this  the  Botanical  Garden  alone  will  fully 
meet,  in  other  branches  of  science  too  it  lends  a  helping  hand.  It 
shows  more  truly  than  pen  can  describe,  or  pencil  paint,  the  physical 
features  of  the  most  distant  parts  of  the  earth,  if  not  in  all,  yet  in  their 
principal  manifestations ;  for  this  reason  Botany  constitutes  an  important 
part  of  Geography.  He  who  with  the  assistance  of  a  botanical  garden 
has  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  myriad  forms  of  vegetable  exis- 
tence, finds  old  acquaintances  in  every  land  where  circumstances  may 
subsequently  lead  him.  To  mention  a  practical  advantage  :  the  poison- 
ous plants,  everywhere  to  be  found,  have  carried  off,  and  do  still  carry 
off,  many  a  victim  of  ignorance  ;  the  Botanical  Garden  collects  them  to- 
gether, in  order  by  instruction  to  warn  of  their  deadly  qualities.  Besides 
this  scientific  and  practical  utility,  the  Botanical  Garden  is  of  interest 
to  the  man  of  business,  and  to  the  mechanic,  by  presenting  to  him  i*. 
living  forms,  the  foreign  products  which  call  forth  the  grandest  commer- 
cial speculations,  and  give  activity  to  navigation  and  trade.  It  thus 
diffuses  knowledge  and  correct  ideas  even  among  those  whom  curi- 
osity alone  has  drawn  to  it.  We  may  say  lastly,  as  the  highest  object  of 
the  Botanical  Garden,  which  includes  all  others :  it  is  to  every  one  a 
means  of  culture  ;  it  leads  the  mind  to  contemplate  the  interesting  vege- 
table kingdom,  and  fills  it  with  those  charming  images,  which  in  all 
times,  and  among  all  nations  of  the  Earth,  have  graced  the  most  beau- 
tiful poetical  productions. 

The  raising  and  care  of  plants  of  other  zones  make  it  necessary  to 
have  arrangements  for  producing  artificially  the  climate  of  those  regions  ; 
the  more  perfectly  this  is  attained,  the  more  thrifty  they  will  appear. 
Plants  are  more  limited  in  their  locality,  and  the  range  in  which  they 
propagate,  than  animals.  They  support  no  great  variation  from  their 
proper  climate  ;  they  cannot  become  accustomed  to  it;  and  therefore 


9 

the  so-called  acclimating  of  plants  is  a  chimera.  They  demand,  for  their 
healthy  growth,  all  the  conditions  of  their  existence,  and  if  these  fail, 
they  dwindle  or  die. 

Among  the  first  requisites  of  a  Botanical  Garden  are  glass  or  green- 
houses, which  should  be  so  constructed  that  the  plants  may  receive  as 
much  light  as  possible,  (not  from  the  South  side  alone  ;)  that  the  degree 
of  heat  may  be  produced  which  the  nature  of  the  plants  require  ;  and 
that  the  degree  of  moisture  of  the  air  may  be  in  like  manner  regulated. 
When  the  apparatus  for  heating  is  thus  properly  constructed,  that  in  all 
parts  of  the  interior,  the  upper  as  well  as  lower,  a  degree  of  warmth  as 
uniform  as  possible  exists;  and  the  arrangement  is  such,  tbat  the  bouses 
may  be  quickly  and  easily  covered,  as  well  against  the  cold  of  Winter, 
as  the  violent  heat  of  the  sun  in  Summer ;  and  the  ventilation  so  per- 
fectly and  judiciously  contrived  that  by  the  admission  of  fresh  air  the 
plants  are  not  directly  subjected  to  the  cold  current ; — art  is  then  fur- 
nished with  all  the  necessary  means  to  succeed  in  producing  the  climate 
desired,  and  to  sustain  the  plants  of  any  region,  so  that  they  are  seen 
at  a  glance  to  be  in  a  healthy  state. 

These  fundamental  conditions,  which  ought  never  to  be  lost  sight  of, 
make  it  apparent  tbat  but  little  regard  to  architectural  style  is  necessary 
in  the  building  of  green-houses.  Practical  adaptation  to  the  end  in 
view  must  remain  under  all  circumstances  the  principal  object,  and 
mere  external  elegance  should  be  secondary.  To  meet  this  adaptation, 
the  artist  is  required,  in  his  design  of  glass-houses,  to  fix  the  relative 
extent  and  height  of  the  interior  space  by  the  nature  of  the  plants  in- 
tended to  occupy  the  same.  He  is  permitted,  in  order  to  avoid  too  great 
sameness,  to  draw  certain  divisions  in  the  uniform  front,  but  not  so  as 
to  make  any  part  of  it  face  the  North,  and  a  limited  measure  of  orna- 
ment in  the  iron  frames  of  the  houses,  and  the  use  of  colored  glass,  to 
break  the  monotonous  surfpce,  may  be  allowed,  but  the  means  of  pro- 
ducing grand  effect  extend  no  farther. 

How  far  the  artist  has  succeeded,  in  the  foregoing  sketch  of  the  glass- 
houses, "A,"  regard  being  had  both  to  groundplan  and  view,  in  uniting 
the  requirements  necessary  according  to  the  foregoing  principles,  with 
gracefulness  of  form,  we  will  leave  forjudges  to  decide.  To  enter  into 
the  particulars  of  tb  construction,  as  for  instance  the  placing  of  the 
furnaces  so  as  not  to  o."  .figure  the  building,  to  describe  the  manner  in 
which  the  warmth  is  conducted  and  diffused,  &c„,  would  exceed  the 
limits  of  these  remarks.  We  will  therefore  proceed  to  the  question,  what 
separate  departments  ire  necessary  in  the  glass-houses,  to  meet  the 
requisites  of  a  botanical  garden  as  already  mentioned. 

It  requires  : 

1st,  A  department,  in  which  plants  are  only  kept  through  winter,  in 
pots,  boxes  and  tabs,  in  a  temperature  of  from  32  to  40  degrees 
of  Fahrenheit,  and  called  for  this  reason  a  conservatory.     This 


10 

department  does  not  necessarily  require  a  glass  roof,  as  the  plants 
are  carried  into  the  open  air  in  the  beginning  of  Summer,  during 
which  the  space  remains  empty  The  hall  ua",  supported  by  six 
pillars,  constituting  the  central  part  of  the  building  is  destined 
for  this  purpose.  The  spaces  between  the  pillars  are  closed  in 
Winter  with  moveable  windows,  which  are  removed  at  the  same 
time  with  the  plants,  which  consist  of  orange,  myrtle  and  laurel 
trees,  of  rose,  and  rhododendron  species,  &c  In  the  Winter,  this 
hall  forms  the  connexion  between  the  principal  departments  of 
the  building  right  and  left,  which  may  be  passed  through  from 
one  to  the  other  without  interruption. 

2nd,  A  so-called  palm-house,  which  is  the  octagon  structure  on  the 
right  of  the  hall,  "  b,"  (including  part  of  the  adjoining  semi-circle 
"c,")  and  in  which  in  winter  a  warmth  of  from  55  to  65  degrees, 
with  a  moist  atmosphere,  must  be  kept.  Here  tropical  plants,  in 
all  their  wonderful  formations ;  palms,  sago  trees,  stemmed  ferns, 
&c,  artificially  produced,  present  to  the  beholder  the  most  ma- 
jestic specimens  of  the  products  of  our  Earth.  The  arrangement 
is  that  of  a  winter  garden,  the  plants  chiefly  growing  in  the  open 
ground ;  rocks  arise  in  the  interior,  partially  covered  with  ver- 
dure and  easily  surmounted ;  creeping  plants  deck  the  beams 
and  pillars,  forming  garlands  from  one  to  another,  and  covering 
arbors  and  seats  ;  fountains  and  waterfalls,  conducted  here  in 
winter  instead  of  without,  add  to  the  variety  ;  and  even  a  few 
beautiful  kinds  of  birds  may  be  admitted  As  the  most  beautiful 
tropical  orchis  species  are  indigenous  to  the  same  soil  as  the  palm, 
these  plants  will  therefore  be  quite  at  home  in  the  same  depart- 
ment. The  eye  of  the  Botanist,  as  well  as  that  of  the  simple  lover 
of  flowers,  rests  with  peculiar  pleasure  upon  these  plants,  which  in 
richness  of  coloring,  and  variety  of  form,  exceed  all  description. 
Their  manner  of  growing,  which  is  chiefly  swinging  high  in  the 
air,  in  which  situation  they  bear  their  splendid  flowers  often  of 
the  greatest  fragrance,  renders  them  a  remarkable  embellishment 
of  the  palm-house.  The  vanilla  plant  belongs  to  the  orchis 
species. 

3rd,  The  general  hot-house,  which  is  the  remaining  part  of  the  semi- 
circle, "c,"  in  which  half  tropical  plants  are  kept,  and  which 
requires  a  temperature  of  from  50  to  55  degrees,  and  a  moist 
atmosphere.  Here  belong  the  coffee  tree,  the  sugar  stalk,  the 
dragon  tree  species,  a  part  of  the  fern  species,  the  splendid  bul- 
bous plants  Amaryllis,  Crinum,  Pancratium,  the  tuberous  plants 
Arum,  Gloxinia,  Gesnerea,  nearly  all  the  aromatic  plants,  the  cin- 
namon and  pepper  tree,  the  banana  and  the  pine  apple,  the  cow 
tree,  and  other  interesting  species. 


11 

Ath,  The  last  department  on  the  right  side,  l'd,'*  will  be  treated  of 
hereafter. 

&th,  The  so-called  Cape  or  New  Holland  house,  which  is  the  depart- 
ment on  the  left  of  the  hall,  "e,"  including  a  part  of  the  semi- 
circle on  this  side,  "f,"  and  in  which  the  plants  of  Southern 
Africa  and  Australia  are  kept.  These  require  in  winter  a  tem- 
perature of  from  40  to  45  degrees,  and  a  diy  atmosphere  corre- 
sponding to  that  of  their  native  regions,  in  which  rain  is  so  rarely 
known.  Here  are  the  beautiful  species  of  the  Acacia,  Banksia, 
Melaleuca,  Nerium,  Protea,  Metrosideros,  fyc,  which  exhibit  their 
peculiar  forms,  their  tops  without  leaves,  but  often  covered  with 
flowers  the  more.  Here  belong  also  the  elegant  Erica  and  Epa- 
cris  species,  and  many  other  ornamental  plants  furnished  us 
chiefly  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  In  regard  to  the  arrange- 
ments of  the  plants  in  this  department,  it  is  to  be  observed  that 
many  of  them,  as  in  the  palm-house,  particularly  such  as  have  lofty 
stems,  grow  in  the  open  ground,  while  those  in  pots  are  arranged 
to  embellish  them,  which  gives  to  the  whole  the  appearance  of  a 
winter  garden,  like  the  other  department. 

6th,  The  Cactus-house,  which  takes  up  the  remaining  part  of  the  left 
semi-circle,  for  which  a  temperature  of  45  to  50  degrees,  and  a 
moist  atmosphere  is  necessary,  these  plants  being  chiefly  found 
on  the  dry  table  lands  of  Central  and  South  America,  where  their 
truly  grotesque  forms,  with  all  their  pomp  of  flowers,  give  the 
landscape  so  peculiar  and  strange  an  appearance.  We  may  men- 
tion here,  to  show  the  great  variety  of  this  plant,  that  in  European 
Gardens  about  600  different  kinds  are  cultivated. 

1th,  The  two  extreme  departments  of  the  glass-house  in  front,  right 
and  left,  "d"  and  "g,"  are  intended  for  ornamental  plants,  which 
have  properly  but  little  botanic  interest,  as  their  great  variety  is 
produced  by  artificial  grafting,  so  that  the  form  of  the  original 
plant  can  scarcely  be  recognized.  Here  belong  the  most  kinds 
of  Camellia,  Cineraria,  Calceolaria,  Fuchsia,  Pelargonium,  Azalea, 
Petunia,  Verbena,  fyc.  The  warmth  in  winter  should  be  about  40 
degrees,  and  the  atmosphere  more  dry  than  moist.  It  is  too  well 
known  to  be  mentioned,  with  what  fullness  of  flowers  these  plants 
are  covered,  making  the  departments  that  contain  them,  nearly 
the  whole  year  through,  like  sparkling  caskets  of  jewels. 

With  the  establishment  of  these  departments,  it  is  easy  to  assign  to 
the  plants  from  every  corner  of  the  earth,  except  the  Arctic  regions,  their 
proper  climate,  and  ensure  their  consequent  thrift,  provided  of  course 
regard  be  paid  to. their  natural  economy,  and  the  same  mixture  of  soil 
be  afforded  as  that  to  which  they  are  indigenous.  The  principal  trea- 
suries from  which  botanical  gardens  and  green-houses  are  supplied, 
are  Central  and  South  America,  where    the  paucity    of   inhabitants 


12 

has  changed  very  little  the  face  of  the  country,  and  where  nature 
appears  in  all  the  pomp  of  a  tropical  climate.  The  vicinity  of  these 
regions,  and  the  lively  commerce  between  them  and  North  America^ 
make  it  comparatively  easy,  to  obtain  thence  original  specimens!  Eng- 
land has  acquired  in  this  way  her  vegetable  treasures,  and  although  the 
naturally  uniform  climate  there  is  more  favorable  to  the  raising  of  plants 
than  here,  where  the  climate  is  more  subject  to  extremes,  yet  the  task 
of  Art  is  only  thus  somewhat  increased  ;  there  is  no  need  to  despair  of 
equalling  England  in  thi3  branch  of  culture.  It  is  necessary  for  this 
indeed,  that  the  taste  of  men  of  capital  should  be  directed  to  nature  and 
her  most  beautiful  productions.  In  England,  the  park  with  its  adjoin- 
ing grounds  is  the  pride  and  glory  of  the  whole  family,  whose  history  is 
connected  with  every  part  of  it.  America  for  centuries  to  come,  will 
suffer  no  want  of  productive  ground,  and  social  life  with  its  requirements 
will  suffer  no  prejudice,  if  the  rich  man,  by  the  laying  out  of  parks  and 
their  appurtenances,  should  enter  into  treaty  with  nature.  Many  a  ray 
of  light  would  thus  fall  upon  the  weary  pathway  of  even  the  common 
laborer. 

It  remains  to  say  a  few  words  in  reference  to  the  room  adjoining  the 
hall  on  the  North,  "h,"  and  also  in  reference  to  the  cupola  of  the  build- 
ing supported  by  a  double  row  of  pillars  (see  the  view).  The  Botanical 
Garden  is  pre-eminently  devoted  to  science;  but  as  science  begins  gradually 
to  lay  aside  the  strictly  sytematic  form,  excluding  all  outward  grace,  and 
approaching  social  life,  seeks  to  infuse  into  it  philosophic  views,  such 
an  institution  may  occasionally  bring  together  social  circles  and  for  this 
purpose  the  room  "h;"  is  intended,  which  is  to  be  a  tastefully  furnished 
saloon.  It  is  in  direct  communication  with  the  principal  departments 
of  the  green-houses,  which  may  be  entered  from  it.  The  pleasure  of 
this,  particularly  in  winter,  when  the  temperature  of  these  winter  gardens 
is  in  such  striking  contrast  with  nature  without,  will  be  readily  con- 
ceived. This  however  will  probably  be  the  exclusive  priviledge  of  such 
companies  as  consist  of  inhabitants  of  Glenn  Park,  whose  interest  in  the 
preservation  of  the  garden,  will  prevent  any  injury  to  the  plants. 

The  flat  roof  of  the  hall,  as  well  as  the  cupola  may  be  arranged  for 
an  astronomical  observatory.  This  point  commands  on  every  side  an 
extensive  prospect.  There  will  be  room  enough  to  set  up  the  necessary 
instruments,  as  the  space  over  the  saloon  can  be  taken  for  the  same 
purpose.  The  interior  concave  surface  of  the  cupola  may  have  painted 
upon  it  a  representation  of  the  firmament  of  our  Northern  hemisphere 
with  all  its  brilliant  stars  and  constellations. 

These  intimations  will  suffice  to  draw  attention  to  the  local  advant- 
ages here  for  the  establishment  of  schools  and  other  institutions  of 
learning.  It  would  not  be  easy  to  find  in  America  a  place  offering  such 
prospects  to  vertability  of  learning  as  Glenn  Park. 

We  come  now  to  the  garden  grounds,  which  in  the  drawing  occupy  the 


13 

middle  part  of  the  sheet.  Favored  by  the  locality,  the  two  directly  oppo- 
site styles  of  gardening  are  brought  into  practice,  viz.  the  regular  or  French 
style,  and  the  irregular,  natural,  or  English  style.  It  is  evident  that  in 
a  plot  or  garden  fronting  a  symmetrical  edifice,  the  French  style  is  gen- 
erally better  than  the  English:  as  in  the  regular  partition  of  the  ground, 
the  arrangement  of  the  trees  and  flowers,  the  placing  of  objects  of  art, 
as  pedestals,  statues,  vases,  &c,  all  in  symmetrical  order ;  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  building  is  as  it  were  continued,  and  transferred  to  the 
garden,  by  which  the  effect  of  the  whole  is  strengthened.  These  mo- 
tives have  induced  the  artist,  to  sketch  in  the  vicinity  of  the  glass- 
houses, a  so-called  French  garden  parterre,  which  as  the  distance  in- 
creases, is  gradually  transformed  to  the  English  garden.  Straight  lines 
denote  the  French  taste,  while  crooked  walks  and  irregular  grouping  of 
trees  and  shrubs  show  the  English  style. 

As  the  smallness  of  the  drawing  does  not  allow  every  part  of  this 
parterre  to  be  clearly  enough  exhibited,  we  will  endeavour  by  a  few 
words  of  explanation  to  make  it  more  intelligible. 

The  central  part  of  the  parterre  contains  a  canal  "i,"  which  before 
the  hall  expands  into  a  basin,  from  the  middle  of  which  a  fountain  rises 
from  30  to  35  feet  high.  The  canal  is  bordered  by  a  stone  parapet,  3 
feet  high.  This  parapet  has  in  it  niche-like  openings  provided  with 
seats.  On  each  side  of  the  canal,  run  regularly  divided  parterres,  bor- 
dered by  flower  beds,  and  ornamented  besides  with  elegant  groups  of 
shrubbery.  In  the  centre  of  the  parterres,  are  pedestals  supporting 
statues ;  the  corners  of  these  plots  are  also  suitable  for  similar  orna- 
ments, which  need  not  be  however  more  than  half  the  height  of  the 
central  ones.  Xear  the  glass-houses,  the  parterre  opens  more,  as  the 
line  of  trees  partly  closes,  and  partly  diverging  from  their  former  direc- 
tion, yield  the  intervening  space  to  similarly  decorated  surface.  Between 
the  parallel  lines  of  trees,  are  shady  walks,  which  afford  sufficient  pro- 
menades for  a  numerous  public. 

At  the  opposite  end  of  the  canal,  (near  "1,")  the  ground  suddenly 
falls  about  12  feet.  The  whole  thus  regularly  and  squarely  formed,  is  repre- 
sented in  the  view  "B."  In  the  central  point  "m"  rises  a  slender  column 
which  may  be  devoted  to  commemorate  some  great  event,  or  some  su- 
blime idea,  and  for  this  purpose  symbolically  crowned.  The  structure 
in  front  of  the  middle  terrace  "n"  should  be  massively  built.  It  would 
be  pains  well  applied,  to  vault  the  latter,  so  that  the  communication 
should  extend  behind  the  waterfall  ("o")  from  one  stairway  to  the  other. 
This  place  would  be  a  pleasant  resort  in  summer.  The  little  basin  into 
which  the  cascade  falls,  might  contain  in  the  midst  of  its  rocky  centre, 
a  representation  of  a  group  of  playing  children  cut  in  white  marble. 
The  two  pavilion-like  structures  on  the  terrace,  "p,"  would  be  suitable 
dwellings  for  the  men  employed  in  the  garden.  The  view  UG"  gives  a 
correct  idea  of  the  terrace  and  its  appurtenances. 


14 

On  both  sides  of  this,  right  and  left,  the  ground  rises  to  the  same 
hight;  here  the 'terrace  is  separated;  three  verandas,  "g,"  rising  one 
above  another,  take  -up  the  base  as  well  as  the  intervening  spaces  of  the 
terrace,  and  bound  the  side  view.  The  beds  "r"  in  the  form  of  a  crossr 
are  taken  up  by  that  great  division  of  plants  called  by  the  general  name 
of  perennial  plants,  the  peculiarity  of  which  is,  that  the  whole  stalk 
above  ground  dies  off  every  year,  but  the  roots  continue  to  live,  and 
every  summer  send  forth  new  shoots  and  flowers.  Each  plant  of  this 
kind  grows  entirely  separate,  and  has  its  own  botanical  name.  In  the 
corner  plots  are  elegantly  formed  reservoirs  in  the  ground,  calculated 
for  swimming  plants  ;  a  subterrenean  communication  from  the  basin  ao" 
supplies  them  with  water. 

This  concludes  that  part  of  the  garden  called  the  French  style. 
We  come  now  to  the  winding  lines  of  path  and  road,  the  irregular 
scattered  groups  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  which  characterize  the  Eng- 
lish taste.  In  these  grounds  two  principal  divisions  are  to  be  distin- 
guished, the  one  in  which  scientific  interest  prevails,  the  other  artistic. 
The  one  gathers  around  the  glass-houses,  and  along  the  sides  of  the 
parterre  as  far  as  it  extends ;  the  other  prevails  in  the  more  distant  parts 
of  the  gardnn,  and  around  objects  which  will  be  mentioned  hereafter. 
The  scientific  point  of  view  reveals  itself  in  the  parts  mentioned,  by  the 
circumstance  that  the  shrubbery  is  not  found  in  thickly  closed  masses, 
but  scattered  loosely  about;  every  tree  and  shrub  has  the  situation  most 
favorable  to  its  natural  economy,  in  which  it  can  develope  itself  to  the 
greatest  perfection:  the  botanic  object  demands  this.  The  thick  growth 
of  plants  together,  so  prejudicial  to  the  full  developement  of  each,  can- 
not meet  this  end,  but  only  such  as  are  open  to  the  air  and  its  action  on 
every  side.  The  winding  pathways  that  immediately  join  the  straight 
walks  of  the  parterre  are  bordered  by  groups  of  trees  and  shrubbery, 
which  are  particularly  devoted  to  scientific  study ;  each  tree  and  shrub 
is  provided  with  its  scientific  name.  One  after  another  the  different 
species  of  oak,  maple,  walnut,  pine,  &c,  succeed,  presenting  toHhe  eye 
of  the  beholder  their  characteristic  forms.  The  free  and  open  situation 
of  the  trees  and  shrubbery,  near  natural  pathways,  and  their  growing 
in  scattered  groups,  makes  it  possible  for  the  artist  carrying  out  the 
plan,  after  giving  sufficient  attention  to  the  scientific  end  in  view,  to  pay 
some  regard  to  artistic  effect.  In  general,  these  groups,  considering  the 
great  proportion  supplied  by  North  America,  will  have  the  character  of 
the  forest  vegetation,  as  found  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States.  The 
representatives  of  the  Southern  States,  however,  the  beautiful  species  of 
Magnolia,  are  found  near  "t,"  on  a  Southern  declivity  of  ground,  in  a 
protected  situation,  where  with  a  little  covering  they  will  winter  well  in 
this  climate.  As  the  reader  is  now  in  this  part  of  the  garden,  it  must 
be  confessed  that  the  artist,  tempted  by  the  favorable  situation,  could 
not  help  sketching  near  "u"  three  vine  terraces.     The  much  abused 


15 

vine  belongs  still  to  the  plants  of  our  earth,  and  connot  well  be  excluded 
from  a  place  in  a  botanical  garden,  To  allay  all  fears  however,  we  must 
here  mention,  that  the  sketch  contains  neither  a  temple  of  Bacchus,  nor 
a  wine  press.  The  cultivation  of  the  vine  here  is  only  intended  to  afford 
a  few  grapes  for  those  who  are  fond  of  them.  It  may  be  added  here 
that  the  garden  has  three  entrances,  each  of  which  is  provided  with  a 
porters'  lodge,  in  order  to  exercise  some  control,  if  necessary,  over  those 
who  frequent  it. 

The  demands  of  science  are  thus  sufficiently  met  on  every  side  ;  the 
remaining  part  of  the  grounds  extending  towards  the  south,  and  limited 
by  the  bounds  of  the  garden,  are  given  over  purely  to  art,  which  may 
here  show  what  attractions  it  is  capable  of  creating. 

The  impression  produced  by  a  garden  of  itself,  without  the  effect  of 
suitable  buildings,  is  with  most  men  but  feeble.  For  this  reason,  such 
objects  should  be  erected,  whereever  the  locality  is  inviting.  It  is  then 
the  task  of  the  artist,  to  regulate  the  natural  scenery  adjoining,  in  corre-' 
spondence  thereto.  The  ground  plan  of  three  such  edifices  in  the  draw- 
ing shows  their  situation,  and  views  of  the  same  are  given  on  the  mar- 
gin of  the  sheet  denoted  by  the  corresponding  letters  "D,"  "E"  and  "P." 
A  few  words  as  to  each  of  these  structures  will  be  necessary. 

In  sketching  and  situating  the  temple  UD,"  the  artist  was  reminded 
of  Apollo,  the  God  of  Music  and  Song,  whose  statue  consequently  occu- 
pies a  pedestal  in  the  centre.  Standing  somewhat  raised  on  a  penin- 
sular, near  a  clear  sheet  of  water,  and  a  small  murmuring  water-fall, 
the  view  over  an  open  meadow,  and  surrounded  by  an  airy  grove — such 
scenery  will  suit  the  mythical  Apollo. 

The  ruin  "E,"  constructed  of  rough  pieces  of  rock  as  weather-beaten 
as  possible  is  easily  put  up  from  material  on  the  spot,  the  removal 
of  which  would  have  cost  as  much  as  its  present  application.  An  ele- 
vation at  this  spot  favors  the  structure,  and  makes  it  impressive.  It 
forms  in  its  coarseness  a  lively  contrast  to  the  noble  temple  style,  and 
thus  raises  that  the  more.  To  the  proper  scenery  belongs  a  shady  situ- 
ation, produced  by  pine  trees  and  overhanging  plants,  growing  also 
upon  and  in  the  ruins.  Creeping  plants  covering  the  stone  work,  find 
here  also  their  proper  place. 

The  grounds  near  "F"  are  laid  out  as  a  Chinese  garden,  in  which  the 
whole  arrangement  of  buildings,  flower  beds,  walks  and  seats  exhibit 
the  quaintest  elegance ;  not  indeed  so  odd  as  the  Chinese  originals,  but 
according  to  the  rules  of  a  refined  taste.  The  Chinese  garden  was  ori- 
ginally the  model  of  the  English  style.  It  is  not,  however,  to  do  homage 
to  this  fact,  that  the  occasion  is  taken,  to  exhibit  the  scenery  of  the 
Celestical  empire  ;  it  is  done  because  such  grounds  seem  to  accord 
best  with  the  end  in  view.  The  idea  has  occured  to  the  artist,  to 
enliven  this  garden  with  a  colony  of  singing  birds.  This  will  not  seem 
far-fetched  to  those,  who  have   heard  a  European  spring,  announced 


16 

from  every  bush,  in  almost  every  form  of  warbled  song.  The  arrange- 
ment may  be  as  follows :  the  island  with  its  little  temple,  as  denoted  on 
the  drawing,  is  covered  with  a  net  of  wire,  forming  different  separate 
departments,  in  which  the  various  kinds  of  birds,  notwithstanding  their 
imprisonment,  may  take  limited  nights  in  the  open  air.  Other  depart- 
ments without,  connected  with  little  houses,  into  which  the  birds  resort 
at  night  and  in  stormy  weather,  and  where  they  have  their  nests,  corre- 
spond to  the  former.  Birds  of  beautiful  plumage  also,  if  not  too  sensa- 
tive^  as  for  instance  the  splendid  gold  and  silver  pheasants,  can  here 
find  suitable  quarters. — The  large  Chinese  cottage  on  the  brook,  would 
afford  suitable  accommodations  for  persons  employed  in  the  garden. 

In  reference  to  the  arrangement  of  the  trees  and  shrubbery  in  general 
we  can  only  say  that  a  beautiful  existing  wood  will  serve  as  a  basis. 
The  drawing  shows  further  two  bodies  of  water,  the  one  flowing  con- 
tinually, runs  already  through  the  land,  though  indeed  as  yet  in. another 
direction,  the  other  is  conducted  hither,  to  raise  by  the  charm  of  water, 
the  character  of  the  landscape.  The  hand  of  the  artist  has  now  so  to 
regulate,  that  the  walks  be  as  much  as  possible  shaded,  yet  that  the 
light  occasionally  break  through,  and  that  light  and  dark  shade  succeed 
as  the  scenery  demands  ;  that  here  and  there  blooming  shrubbery  attend 
the  clustering  trees,  or  stand  alone,  forming  heavy  masses  of  verdure, 
but  particularly  follow  the  water  course,  sometimes  vaulting  it  over,  so 
as  to  conceal  it  from  the  eye,  and  again  attending  its  banks  only  to  be 
mirrored  in  its  surface.  The  correct  management  of  these  scattered 
groups  belongs  to  the  finest  delineations  of  art.  Seen  from  whatever 
side  the  beholder  may  stand,  they  should  present  themselves,  succeed- 
ing each  other  picturesquely,  and  while  the  view  is  taken  as  a  whole, 
their  varying  forms  and  verdure  must  be  considered.  No  mere  mechan- 
ical study  and  experience  can  in  this  constitute  the  artist ;  only  a  lively 
fancy  and  poetical  inspiration  will  be  able,  out  of  such  materials,  to  raise 
a  work  of  art,  whose  end  is  idealized  nature. — But  enough  of  the  theme. 
It  is  not  intended  to  fill  volumes  with  the  mere  sketch  which  the  Artist 
considered  necessary  to  accompany  his  drawing,  in  order  to  explain, 
in  regard  to  special  locality,  the  Botanical  Garden  at  Glenn  Park, 
or  in  general,  to  raise  a  desire  for  correctly  managed  gardens  and 
parks.  With  the  more  obvious  object,  let  not  the  further  one  be  alto- 
gether forgotten. 


.   "  ■  1 


$ 


MSIESS^IK 


*>«&  :•  c° 


REMARKS 


ON  THE 


1M1II 


OP  THE 


otaitiral  i*rta 


®bsm  ftoslh. 


W.    BENQUE. 


1854. 


©■gtaw* 


